At night he was the devil, by day he was hardly a ghost. This wasn’t his time, not the time in which you would see him often at least. Avanti was a creature of the night, always longing for that certain darkness that was around him. Even now, under the upcoming sun, the shadows where calling him home. But where was home to begin with? The horse he rode on was created under the darkness Avanti possessed. A summon with ugly scars, open wounds, a set of deep purple eyes. No bridle, no saddle, only Avanti’s cloak covering parts of that black scared back he sat on. The stallion stopped, his breath warm, his expressions without any meaning, hollow and hungry. Avanti looked over the village, a city that was once called home, a city where Avanti once was a little boy.

As he jumped from that disgusting beast, the horse vanished into black smoke as Avanti cast it away. It was a very long time ago that Avanti last walked into Vanaheim, probably nobody forgot about the things he did here … the stories. He lived for ages, centuries and nobody was left to remember that, it only was a whisper, a darkness in a memory. His blue eyes hinted slightly purple as the sun shine down on him. He squeezed his eyes together, throwing the sun a annoying look as he walked further into Vanaheim, to the house he once called home, the house most saw as cursed. Avanti killed here, was born here, was created here and on a day like this, a day others would call a birthday he let himself to remember. Just for a bit.

He wasn’t one for sentimentals but he know his brother would remember this day to. The house was still in the Morningstar family, and after ages of emptiness nobody took it over, or lived in it. So Avanti saw it fit to make a statement, no Morningstar would settle here, not under his watch. He stood there, in the shadow of a tree staring over the house with that twisted grin over his lips before he looked down to a box of matches. He pulled one out and walked over to the house. Happy birthday to you. He whispered, burning up the match before he held it out. A vampire in the early morning, setting his family house on fire, people would know who he was but who would dare to stop him?

Not many reasons were needed for him to leave the castle and the city alone for a few days. Larethian had dismissed his kings guards and had saddled the white stallion that had been ’serving’ him for years. The stallions legs had taken him towards the borders of Vanaheim and even further then that. He and he alone knew the ways to travel the desert of Valyria and return safely. For years he had build these paths for his and his familly. Making sure no one would find out. He was a man full off plans and ambitions and making sure his family and even himself could live an easy life became his number one priority.

By the time he reached the center parts of Vanaheim the yellow sun was already on the horizon. It was hot, but after years of living in Valyria he was getting used to it. And the landscapes of the orange desert reminded the man of an old and ancient place. It was a place that he had locked away from his memory for ages. But was found again not too long ago. A memory collected in dust and painful thoughts.

Seheron

The desert where the sun would burn your skin as if a thousand needles where stinging you at once. The grainy and dusty desert of the Blue moon reaches so far that the eye cannot see the end. And once you would enter the borders of this desert an eternal life of walking circles would slowly crawl over you. With the burning temperatures at day and the cold temperatures at night it was only a place you would visit when you where either desperate or just had to vanish for a while. The slightest changes in his dull face showed that he was thinking back about that time with the other cultists. He didn’t knew why or how these memories came back to him all of a sudden. Maybe it was the desert of Vanaheim that made him realise how he had lived his life back in the land of the blue moon. Maybe it was the sudden feeling of death that was placed as a cloak around him. It was a moody, dark and sinister feeling.

The horse it’s legs went slower and slower as he leaned back onto the saddle. And the brave animal was forced to slow his canter and went on in a slower walk. Larethian let his blue eyes scan the surroundings. He had not often entered this area so his feet where not very familiar with this ground. All he knew right now was the sudden change of air and the black shady mist that vanished into air some meters away from him. It was a familiar feeling. Of someone he had locked away behind large steel doors years ago. Someone with those haunting and deep purple eyes. Perhaps Vanaheim had more to offer than just dust and sand. As he saw the dark stranger appear when the black smoke has vanished. His head tilted a bit and his eyes narrowed. Well well, that's a pleasant surprise. he murmurs.

How rough Vanaheim could be, with his old rules, his some violent events, his sandy ground, it never was rough enough for Avanti. Over the immortal years he lived this piece of land didn’t reflex in any other way towards the others. It wasn’t because he was born here that it had more value, it just … His glowing eyes under the upcoming sun covered the empty land of sand, a godforsaken place, a place of death. It was ironic, death walking on deadly land, the desert of Seheron was never kind for him either, certainly not with his burning sun. Avanti was a creature of the night, you wouldn’t find him here walking in full daylight and still here he was, lingering on the border edges, steps lightly into the sand as he found his way back to a simple house on the farest corner of it. If there was any memory from it he could see himself playing here with his twin brother as a little kid, always hot and far away from civilisation. But there wasn’t a memory, just as there wasn’t a spark of emotion now when he looked to the place.

Burning his “home” would be a good way to lock down a part of his life. But even after all those ages he never did. He knew Alvaro would come back here and he always amused himself in seeing his brother suffer under his rage. Now it was time for other ways of suffering. If his brother would come here he would see nothing but a pile of asses and he would know Avanti would find other ways to entertain himself. Even a monster as him could get bored, this was just that. Avanti casting away toys before he found new ones to entertain himself with and was Valeria not just full of them.

That single match in his hand burned slowly as his hearing grabbed something up out of his surrounding. For a second, a split second he needed to spit through all the blood and faces he already encountered over the years. But then that small grin sparked his pale face as the little flame burned his fingers and went out. The words … it just made him laugh, a deep amused sharp laugh as he turned around and looked up to the king and his spotless white stallion. ‘Pleasant indeed.’ He chuckled dark. Avanti may seem like a boy to the man and yet he over aged everybody walking around here. ‘Larethian,’ just that whisper, so full of longing, so full of darkness and promises would make any other person shiver. But Larethian was so much more than this. ‘My king.’ He mocked while making a small bow, spotting and playing as he always did. ‘What brings such an important person all the way here to cursed lands?’ He asked curious. His deep blue purple eyes looked aside the horse to the path the king came from. ‘All alone nonetheless.’ He followed with a promising voice. They weren’t afraid of each other, what only made it more education.

Wandering around with no exact destination in mind, he had ended up in Vanaheim. What his purpose would be here exactly was not on his mind right now. It took him almost a minute to actually think about the fact that he recognised the old acquaintance, or whatever he should have called him.

It where those taunting eyes that had kept him from sleeping, feeling and above all; living. Although it was years ago that the had spent his life with Avanti and the others it had still marked him for good. He had abandoned these thoughts from his mind but he could not deny everything that has happened. All the killing, murdering and butchering. It was not something that he was very proud off. But it also made him realise how lucky he was right now. If Avanti would not have cast him away like a used toy he would still be lingering between life and death. And he would not stand where he stood right now. But he would never admit that he was actually grateful. never.

As the encounter with the vampire went on he saw how the grin appeared on it’s pale face and the flames disappeared into thin air. Larethian had stoped the horse from walking and loosened the reins a bit. As I can tell you have not forgotten your old habits, Avanti referring to the little play he put on. As he tastes the name on his lips again a sudden nauseating feeling was crawling through his body. It was something that the man in front of him could easily evoke to people. Luckily for Larethian he knew what the old soul was capable off. But he had to be honest that he wasn’t afraid of the vampire. He may be an immortal being, but fear was something that was smashed out off Lareths system the moment he met the cultist.

Other words where fired at him and this time with a hint of curiousness hidden inside. The purple eyes trailed from Larethian towards what seemed the path where he came from. And lareth shows a subtle grin, trying to figure out wether he would answer where he would go or not. After all he did not have to answer him. Cursed lands, you say? he began on almost the same mocking tone Avanti had used a little earlier. Larethian moves himself in the saddle to look extremely exaggerated around to what the landscape had to offer. Nothing more than just a pile of rocks and lots and lots of dust. In the distance he could see some silhouettes of a cactus and some other plant. He moves himself around, but moves his body back in the saddle before long. And after that, is gaze was placed back into the ones of the vampire. He raises his shoulders and tilts his head a bit. Other than an old soul I don’t see any curses around here. He continued. sarcasm almost dripping off his lips. Is Ayana too busy for your schedule now? He answers his own question without giving the man the chance to reply and bashes another question at him: But I guess not. She is always around lurking in the shadows, right? He leans himself back in the saddle. He raises his brow and shrugs, his jaws strongly pressed upon each other

Avanti his eyes rested for a short moment on the clothing Larethian wear, the white stallion, the fanciness of the total picture. He would never understand human life, even not after all those years. They were so predictable, such habit creatures always doing the same boring things. Yes, you had the exceptions, one was standing before him, a king that once was cursed and now walked the earth gaining age. Avanti knew why he did it, if Larethian thought it wouldn’t have consequences then he was mistaken. Reaction, counter reaction, that was how it worked. Avanti followed Larethian in those years, seeing the struggle maybe. Now it was just a waiting game. And while he looked to the king the corner of his lips went up in a amused grin. It was one of the things he loved, lived for, this. Avanti couldn’t hide who he was, Larethian couldn’t either, for that they had spend to much time together.

The words the king spoke make Avanti tilt his head. He moved his body, a lingering slow walk towards the stallion. ‘It’s not that we have to pretend to one another.’ He said, giving the king a long look before he shifted his gaze to the white stallion. He pulled his hand out of his jacket and slowly raised it up. Horses often smelled the death he carried around him. ‘It has been a while,’ he whispered, letting two fingers land on the stallion, he snorted and Avanti slowly looked up to Larethian. ‘but not long enough to forget one another.’ He followed with a promising look. The king could lock Avanti his name away, but forgetting he would never do.

As the king started to look around on his words Avanti only looked at him, barely holding the smile behind because of this little game they were playing. Seheron was well know of a place to get lost, into your own mind or into wondering. His eyes settled back on the horse, looking just long enough so the horse would anxious by his close presents. ‘Are you referring to yourself right now?’ He asked, challenge right there in his purple eyes. But when the king talked about Ayana his face came back to a state of way less emotions. This was that, Larethian knew all too well the one weakness Avanti had, Ayana. Avanti very carefully rolled his jaw while his pale fingers wrapped around one of the reins. ‘Maybe she is busy killing all you love dear while you are here,’ he pointed his finger to where the man sat in the saddle. ‘playing dumb.’ He finished. He took another step, until he stood aside the horse his shoulder. ‘Only you and me Larethian, so what do you want to do on this sunny morning?’ The threat in the challenge, did he love to provoke Larethian, just as it maybe was the other day around.

The whole encounter between the two of them did not start very well. There immediately was this certain tension and after everything that has happened that was not something strange. But this small encounter was already started to get interesting as Avanti was walking towards him. And once the man was close enough he let his gaze run over the white stallion. He pulled his hand out off the jacked and the horse turned it’s ear towards the man. He moved his head a bit away but as soon as he placed his fingers on the steeds a stroke of lightning seem to have run over the body of the stallion. His body shocked briefly. How can I forget his voice turned colder as he rearrange his fingers around the reins. How can someone forget the filthy things he had done back in those days. A grin was fancying his lips. But what matters is, how we move on while we know how many deaths we have on our slate. he raises his shoulders coldly. But I guess that doesn’t matter for you anyway. He was a soulless, careless creature, but he was also so much more.

And as he placed one of his death cold hands around the reins the horse pulled back a bit. The steeds was strong and brave but was definitely not used to death bodies. Larethian let his body lean back into the saddle to make sure the steed would stand still. and as the Threat came to his ears an certain feeling of anger was stirring up from his body. The amusing grin that was placed around his lips faded and they showed in a thin line. He felt how the stallion relaxed somewhat and so he could rearrange his words. For he had his answers already ready to shot at him. Oh Avanti, my old friend, my leader, my once called king he tastes the name on his lips again and moves himself somewhat towards him in the saddle. His words let out the bitterness and arrogance that he was holding in for a while. His eyes got darker now as if a storm was coming. The color of his eyes betrayed his mood: black stood for anger, blue for peace and quiet. Usually then. But when Larethian was at his best, when this imposing man was his ultimate, treacherous self, his eyes were dark, sea blue, like a wild stormy ocean that did not seem to end. As if everything and everyone was engulfed by the heavy seawater and nobody could escape from it. He lingered on in his stormy mind and his blue eyes never leave the ones of the vampire. Slowly his eyes trailed over the face of the vampire as he formed the words in his mind I don’t think you are in the position of threatening me. His voice was condescending and he raises his gaze again only to look at him from under his black eyelashes. Not anymore he hissed the last words towards the man as he pinched his eyes a bit.

He was definitely not going to justify himself for the fact that he had travelled towards the orange deserts of Vanaheim. But, things where getting interesting as their conversation went on. And how lovely would it be to continue their little chat and play around each other. Even if he was wasting his time with it.

Avanti never turned a soul to the immortality if he didn’t saw a certain potential. He saw it in Larethian, he heard it every time if words about the king reached his ears. But by time the king needed to use all that potential for other things, things that were still favoring Avanti, or would at least … in time. He couldn’t suppress a smile when Larethian admitted that he couldn’t forget the things he had done, that alone was punishment. The coldness in his voice made Avanti lift his chin, remembering how cold he had sound the days he was in fact a careless immortal. ‘Let’s not forget here,’ his voice in a way on edge, stern almost. ‘that you did all of that in your own free will. You came to me, I gave you everything.’ That last word he spelled so intensely, because it was simply the truth. ‘It doesn’t.’ Avanti shrugged on the last words the all mighty king spoke. ‘You wouldn’t become who you are now if it wasn’t for me but is that what you really want to do now?’ He asked, tilting his head as his fingers run slightly over the reins. ‘Dig up the past? Remember the days we hunt together? Hmmm?’ The corner of his mouth traveled slightly up. He wouldn’t mind but Larethian just said it himself, he was passed that, he surely didn’t want to remember the lives he took, certainly not with a person like Avanti himself, the created of all that evil to begin with.

Threatening a king was never a good plan, not for a mortal indeed. But Avanti knew the boundaries of his own life, he knew the freedom and he especially knew Larethian in a way. Surely the man had changed a lot in the time away from the darkness, but still, the roots of his true personality wouldn’t have changed. A threat was the best way to get a king angry and while Larethian his smile faded Avanti knew he had done exactly that. The purple in his eyes almost sparkled as Larethian called him by the many names he went by. But there wasn’t a smile on Avanti his lips, no recognition or claiming of the words. He knew the threat would bounce back and it drained every possible emotion on his face while he awaited further words. The king leaned closer, stormy eyes looking into the warning emptiness Avanti looked back with. And when the words came Avanti only tilted his head a little. ‘I never was in a position my mighty king.’ He started on hollow tone. ‘But here I am doing it anyway. What do you want me to do otherwise? Nod and obey?’ He asked. His finger softly stroke through his dark blond hair as he let out a sign. ‘Hardly fun.’ He pushed the corner of his mouth swiftly up, for only seconds before he released the stallion out of his grip.

Larethian was obviously not getting down from his horse so Avanti had to amuse himself in getting the king so far to get down from it. He turned around, nonchalant, looking down to the sand he stood in while pulling a line with his shoe in it. ‘You know,’ he started, turning his head over his shoulder to look up to Larethian. ‘I let you live, I gave you immortality back, I didn’t even harm your family,’ he felt silent. ‘not yet at least.’ He chuckled softly, turning fully again. ‘What else do you expect from a monster like me? Wasn’t I generous enough or do you want me to,’ he snapped his teeth, nodding his head in the way the castle laid. He would feast on that family if he wanted it and yet he didn’t …

Perhaps he knew the once called mortal in front of him a bit too well. He seemed always busy creating his plans here and there. And for that; he never trusted the man. The only effort he would make was the one that would benefit himself and not others. And with that thought in mind Larethian was happy that he was no part of that cult anymore. He had became so much more without those cultists their help. Once he was thrown out he would never have thought that he would end up as a king. But here he was, in his full glory. Stronger and wiser then before. His eyes narrowed a little as the creature started talking again.

Well, I could ask you to leave this country. But that would be so boring to do. his eyes light up with annoyance not giving him the change to reply. I could ask you for advice, but that would only disturb my plans for this kingdom. His lips where pressed into a thin line at once. I could ask you what your plans are in this kingdom, but that is none of my concern and none of my business anyway. he wipes his words away into the air as if they ment nothing. But still they ment all the answers, threats and statements in the world. He leaned forward and pierces his eyes into avanti’s again making sure his voice was clear yet spoken with a certain demanding tone. Since you are no threat to this kingdom, at. all. The last words where spoken slower with more strength pushed out off his mouth as he spoke them. Making sure it would be clear that he would not tolerate any troublemakers in this kingdom. There were already enough of them and that little cultist group where he was so fond of would not withstand his rage. But deep inside every vein he could feel that the creature was planning something.

Words were fired at one another and it actually felt good to let all the pent up hatred flow out off his body. It was not a secret that he was not very fond of any kind of vampire anymore. But until now he had never encountered anyone anyway.

A short moment of silence fell and Larethian let himself lean back into the saddle again but still making sure to hear everything Avanti had to point out. It was not as if he was interested anyway. Perhaps he would even leave when he had enough of his nonsense. But that was another question for another time. Right now the immortal fired other words towards him. This time involving his family. And that was a subject someone should be véry careful with.

Well would you look at that, I am so so so grateful that you let me live. sarcasm was dripping from his lips as he pulled on the reins again. His eyes narrowed a little. You and generous does not go well together. Perhaps unfaithful and unreliable is a better way to describe someone like you.

You could say that he was dumb for provoke an immortal like that. Lure him out off his treasure hole and push him towards his limits. But he was not afraid and not impressed at all. Not anymore. He had served the creature for many nights and in those nights he had felt more alive then ever. He could not deny that. But it also taught him a lot about an immortal life. That It is not for sale and that immortality itself is just nonsense. Larethian had payed a price for roaming the world with this monster. He had turned into a creature with no feelings and no common sense and a hunger that could not be stilled. And in the end, for what? The so called immortals where after all still vulnerable. Like sheep being chased by wolves. Lambs being tricked by lions. And so on.

But, tell me Avanti. What is it that keeps you busy nowadays. It sounded like a dare and more of an invitation to tell him. Everything.

There were a lot of things that could happen between the both of them but they had to admit nothing would ever happen. Avanti wouldn’t leave Larethian alone just as Larenthian wouldn’t give up his pride and honor, admitting things to the immortal before him. This was probably one of Avanti’s favorite persons, Larethian Akesh, the king that was once a monster and cast away his immortal crown for a real one. In the end of his immortal days Avanti didn’t had any use anymore, like his little pet lost his soul in the progress. Knowing what he was destined to be he let him go and look now, high sitting on his white stallion with an attitude of; I don’t care.

Just as he thought about the ways this could go Larethian started to sum them up. Avanti slowly looked back up, the sun irritating him from the side for which his face was as pale as a piece of paper. ‘You could ask but I would just pretend to go.’ He nodded with a neutral face. He didn’t let anything shine through, just he with his pale neutral face and empty purple eyes. ‘Advice.’ He repeated with a soft chuckle. ‘You would never take my advice.’ He followed, squeezing his eyes a little closer as he listened on. It was like they had the first serious conversation in ages. Avanti wasn’t mocking, he did nothing other than advicing in the options, and they were rather poorly. When he said he would ask for Avanti his plans he just shrugged. ‘I wouldn’t tell you anyway.’ He stated with a lazy smile. But when Larethian bow closer over his horse Avanti lifted his chin a little, challenging the king with his eyes. Listening to what he had to say, he just nodded. ‘Not at all.’ He answered seriously. But they knew both that it wasn’t the truth, that Avanti would try something. Larethian was on top of his list, even before his own brother and Axis. Maybe Larethian hoped for another response, hoped to push him but Avanti was the calmth himself, giving him a short quick smile afterwards. One thing that irritated Avanti more than those meaningless words was the fact that he was still sitting on that stallion, but even that, that little bit of irritation wasn’t noticeable on his face.

Everyone had a weakness, Avanti knew that Larethian his was his family. But Larethian knew also Avanti’s biggest weakness. And in a way he knew that he had to be careful, but it was just the little bit of impulsivity that drove him over the edge, threatening the kings family like he invited them all for thee or something. He tilted his head a little as Larethian started to speak. ‘I should have killed you there on the spot.’ He noticed, like he just got that idea right now. He wasn’t really talking to the king, he was talking to nobody, just a thought he spoke out loud. ‘Yes yes,’ he rolled his eyes, bored and annoyed by hearing the same thing over and over. ‘monsters doesn’t suppose to be generous, you should know that, you never were back in the day.’ He reacted, coldly, a little on edge. He stroke his fingers so slowly over the stallion his head again. ‘Live your happy life,’ he said, so soft before his eyes traveled slowly up to the king. ‘you deserve it.’ You couldn’t say how to take those words, as a compliment, a promise, a threat or something else, it hadn’t a clear picture.

He looked a long time to the king before he spoke again and a slow smile game over his lips. ‘I thought it wasn’t none of you concern what keeps me busy nowaday.’ He repeated the words from earlier. ‘But since you ask,’ he petted the stallion strongly against then neck. ‘you keep me always busy my king.’ He bow again, back his light amusing self. ‘Since you don’t care about me I can’t imagine I’m your biggest problem so, how is your kingdom fearing?’ He asked the question right back. What did you expect, this conversation was all to his amusement, you could almost say that Avanti was glad to see his old partner in crime back.

Plans. It was such a small word but it ment so much to him. He was always planning. Being busy with his plans to make the country safer. Design new ways of protecting theirselves from any danger and so on. He loved the game of chess that he was playing with the different guards, and advisers that he could demand around all day. And yet. He missed the fighting. He missed the training with his guards as they where once his equal. He missed to cling his sword onto a body only to see it faint and collapse to the ground. He missed the action and the heat on the battlefield and the adrenaline it brought with it. Maybe those where all feelings that he had gained from his “former” life. As an immortal he was rather vengeful, full of rage and anger against the world. Even though his victims where never blamed for the wrong that has been done in his life. But still. He could feel the anger flow from his body as he took another life. Perhaps his earlier life was still placed on top of him as a black blanket. And would follow him even after his death. And perhaps even Avanti would follow him after his death. Making sure he was never able to rest and get his peace.

And here he was again. After all those years the two of them had finally met. Avanti was certainly someone he was never able to forget. And yet. Nothing would give his mind more rest then to leave that monster behind. The chaos that he had created in his head was finally able to ease away. He tilts his head. He was actually not going to get down from the horse. At least not now. He was perfectly comfortable where he was right now. The only thing that was irritating him was that Avanti was irritating the beast. The steed started moving its head up and down and moving his legs underneath him. With a pull on the reins he stopped the steed from do so. And with his legs he pushed him forward. And as the horse started walking he made small circles around the man. His eyes still focussing down.

He decides not to bother himself on the previous words of the man. Since it would be an endless discussion nonetheless. But the words of killing him had definitely reached him. And it left a scar in his mind. Only filling the rage he hold against vampires more and more. He would finish them all. It doesn’t matter when. But all in time. Hmpf.. you could not have killed me. Not even in a thousand years. No, you actually grew fond of me Avanti. he smirks as he stops the horse and loosened the reins. With his hand he brushes on the white fur of the animal. That is why you have been following me for all those years. To see if you could take some effort out off me. he leans himself back in the saddle and let his hands rest on the upper part of it for a while.

His gaze trailed towards the man again as avanti told him to live a happy life. And that was actually what he was going to do.

And he was right, it was nothing of his concern what he was doing with his little cult anyway. They were just a small pile of ants in this large world. Nothing more nothing less. But still he did not trust the man in any way. Me he hisses as his brow was raised. Oh but I don’t think I am so interesting anymore nor my kingdom is. he answered him amusing. You see, you actually gained me a favour by throwing me out off the group. But that does not mean I am going to return you any favours.

There were a thousand ways how Larethian could handle this and Avanti would not accept one of them. Despite that the vampire had his own agenda, on the head of that stood his former … pet, Larethian Akesh. He asked himself how much people knew about that, that he had served the darkness. How loyal would they be to a king who once was a vampire, not just any, Avanti’s. Not that he cared about the talk among the common people, he did not even care for what Larethian had to say. Yet he wasn’t displeased to see the king arriving here on his white stallion, all nice clothed and with that attitude on his face that Avanti would love to slap off. But he kept his hands home, more than his words at least. You couldn’t chase away the shadows, you wouldn’t chase him away either. Avanti knew he could walk away here, with that smile on his lips and his attitude still high. It was still only him and the king, they wouldn’t win from each other, they wouldn't loose. Beside, Avanti had other plans so for know he would play along.

His purple eyes trailed off, annoyed as Larethian spoke about killing, growing fond of each other. He didn’t looked up to the king in any of those words and when he was done he was still looking to the sandy surroundings, his hands put away in his jacket. ‘Maybe.’ He muttered in thought, this looking to the desert laying in front of them. ‘You know that little game we used to place, the hunting game?’ He threw a look up to the king, all serious for a second. ‘Where we kept playing around with our victim until it lost all hope and we just,’ he fell silent, stroking his tongue in thoughts over his lip. ‘Well,’ he broke loose and looked with a short smile back up to the king. ‘we are playing now but neither of uss is just giving up.’ He petted the horse rather harshly over the neck. ‘One day I will walk into a throne room seeing a grew king on the throne and we will remember that day, that I let you go, yes,’ he chuckled, hollow, as he shook his head. ‘I grew fond of you Larethian, you were my rising star, or at least I thought you was.’ He stated. He took a step back, rolling his shoulders as he looked back up. ‘I won’t kill you, where is the fun in that.’ There, it was a promise set in stone. He wouldn’t kill the king of this whole realm, he would just play a game of chess. And he knew, nothing was that easy but at least they had each other. Avanti loved games but he played them deadly serious, otherwise he wouldn’t have this reputation to walk around with.

A deep sign left his chest as Larethian ranted about favours, that Avanti wouldn’t get one, that he didn’t cared about anything. ‘Whatever you wish my leash.’ Avanti said, bowing deeply before he turned around, walking a few steps. ‘If that is what you want to believe then I’m fine with it.’ He turned around, a flashing smile on his pale face. Nothing of the words did anything to him, for that he had heard them already to much. And if Larethian didn’t want to entertain him there was nothing for his dark soul to stay. He whistled, grinning dark as he turned around and started walking further. ‘Oh,’ he stopped, like he forgot something and turned back around. ‘I do gain favours but you know me they always come with a price.’ He made a ridiculous mocking bow before he started walking again. He was walking away, from a king, such a disrespectful thing to do.

There was a flash of his own pain as his memory came up with all the times he had went through hell. It has been a meeting that he did not longed for. Not after all those years that have passed. No in fact. He had banished the feelings and thoughts he felt back in those days from his mind. And after years he made clear for himself that that part of his life was probably the most low he would ever go. And he made a promise that he would never reach that point ever again. Those thoughts were banished out off his system but in the end, it was still there. Slowly more memories come back to him, though it had been a long time ago and his mind isn't a trustworthy narrator he has come to realize. Perhaps the adrenaline from back then had been a terrible mix, he doesn't remember much from his earlier years as a shade a follower of Avanti. It's probably for the best anyway. There was a certain indifference to his attention when Larethian listened to his words - it did not really matter what he said, yet all the more how he said it -. This was another reason why he loved his position as a king. With this position he was able to wipe out an old soul without even asking anyone. No questions would be asked, no frowned faces towards him. Just him. With the blood on his sleeve.

Avanti and Larethian, Larethian and Avanti. It was a terrible and terrific combination of evil, hate and rage mixed all together. A terrible mix for anyone who came in their way. But those days where gone now. So as he found the serious gaze of the man in front of him he frowned. Making his words ready to start another war between them. I am not playing games with you. I stand above those games we used to play. he takes a pause and licks his lips- before he continues. Moreover, I had erased you from my mind until you decided to set your rotten corpse on these lands again. he confessed.

Man is the master of his own fate

His ocean blue gaze shifted from a darker shade towards black and back to blue again. Yes, you could say that Larethian was a rather complicated personality. Everyday being in a conflict with himself of what is right an what is wrong. Caused by the king of the death himself, the man who stood in front of him. It was one of those gifts that he had given him. He wanted to make sure he was able to give his words more strength and make sure everything was clear for once and for all. This meeting already had taken up too much of his time. And his time was precious as it is. You may think you have gained me a favour by releasing me. But you did not. I came where I stand now by myself and because of my loved ones. Not because of you, not the gods and definitely not that little cultist club of yours. It was full of everything which had been long forgotten. Another smile fancies his face, laced with darkness this time - magnetic, luring darkness.

You came to a world full of monsters that are far more dangerous than you: old soul. But it would not surprise me if you are trying your tricks on people again. “scaring” them with your false and dishonest words. Making them think you will kill their families because that is what you always have done. and it is getting boring As sudden as it had came, the amusement in his blue gaze faded. Perhaps he had spoken the words because he wanted to feel himself better for all the lives that he had taken. Perhaps not. Perhaps it was the only way to show the man how the thought about him after all those years. Or it was just an act of frustration. After all he was still mad at him for banishing him from the group.

Larethian straightens his back and looks down on the man. Giving more fuel to his next words. And even, if you are trying that. I will find you. And I will rip out every vein you have left in that rotten body. The dark look on his face was never fading as he spoke. But instead it seemed to grew wider and more sinister. So I will give you an advice. he said with the deepest and most intense smirk on his face as he leaned forward over the neck of the white stallion. From one ‘friend' to another his eyes turned darker as he spoken the words and he makes sure to search for avanti’s eyes with every second he has. Don’t try to test my power, and don’t tempt my fury It could have been a threat. But that was not his intention this time. For he knew that Avanti was not impressed easily by any threats. He was immortal, but after all not invincible.

He did not look up when the man made a bow and started walking away. It was exactly something for him to do. Run, while you still can. he whispers and let his words been taken with the wind. Perhaps he was luring him out off his cave. Ready to rebound a strike.

The constant provoking from one to another was working on his system, for whatever system Avanti still had left in his body. Yet he looked so calm, so mature and in control over his own emotions … again, for whatever emotions Avanti had still had left. There wasn’t a word Larethian said that made sense to him and he knew that it would take hours and a lot of blood and probably one death to solve this matter. While Larethian talked about his position, the fact he didn’t play games or whatsoever Avanti remembered the day he let Larethian go, the day he should had killed that poor little boy, help him out of his misery. It was a mistake he realized now that he had let the king live. Just a little crack of his neck, Avanti imagined that picture and it satisfied him, seeing a lifeless body on the ground worth tearing apart. But how real that picture was in his head, when he looked up that king still sat on his white stallion and it made him smile, even for a second.

‘Life is a game, if you would have been a little longer at my side you would understand. I have seen things you can’t even picture.’ His voice sounded calm but cold and distant, pushing his annoyance deeper away he looked hardly interested up to the king, shrugging on his words that everyone was master of his own faith. He loved to help faith a little now and then, not everybody deserves life that much. He was here before the parents of these creatures and before the parents of the parents, surly Larethian wanted to help him with that little push of faith. Surly that king didn’t wanted Avanti to walk around any longer then he already did. And here they stood, Lareth still sitting on his horse while Avanti was right there to be killed.

Avanti putted his hands back in the pockets of his jacket as he looked over the desert, listening to whatever Larethian was saying. Normally he wouldn’t let anybody else walse over him like that but it was clear Larethian wanted to defend his position. Wanted to show Avanti who was bigger and better, that he had the power Avanti never would get. If Avanti wasn’t a treat Larethian probably never would talk so much in saying who was the bigger one. So in the end it was quite an amusement for the immortal soul to listen to all that talking. ‘You keep talking Larethian,’ Avanti signed, bored almost. ‘I’m almost thinking that it’s starts bothering you that I’m maybe right,’ he looked back up, shrugging again. ‘about certain things.’ He waved his hands in his pockets, like he spread them around to show whatever was around them. ‘Life is life, you were mine and now not anymore. I’m an immortal, you will die, you drink wine and I drink blood. You think I’m the only monster around here?’ He turned around, like he was looking before he looked back to the king. ‘And still I’m one of the few you place your teeth in. Maybe you know deep down that,’ he took a really long breath out. ‘Well,’ he chuckled, turning around and taking a few steps, enjoying the lingering silence laying in between them. He didn’t finish that sentence, the king could do it himself.

His statement, not wanting to kill the king got an immediate reaction. ‘Yes yes, I get your treats Larethian.’ He signed, showing a little of his irritation. That he came to rip out every vein, Avanti would be waiting. If the king wanted to scare him he had to come with bigger things like that, after all, hundreds of years on this world didn’t left him with not much to fear. He stepped away and there it was. Avanti looked forward, that empty smile on his lips before he turned back around. ‘I won’t test anything, soon I will be thinking you are afraid.’ He shrugged, shaking his head, purple eyes not at all amused. He had expected more but the only thing Larethian did was talking. As he walked further the whispering words of the king reached his sensitive ears and Avanti stopped, looking a long time before him before he turned around. ‘You really want me to rip you down from that horse and drain you, don’t you? Was this all the purpose provoke me? That I take the first step? See how Avanti will react to all those treats?’ He silencenced himself and tilted his head. ‘But I’m gonna be the bigger man of our both and walk away. You should have killed me while you had the chance, but guess you love a game as much as I do. See you soon, I hope, it will be fun.’ He promised before he was just gone, vanished, disappeared between the tree bordering this desert. Larethian probably gained nothing from this other then a little reunion time. Avanti sure as hell would rip a soul apart, only to get his blood thirst for that king out of his system. Larethian was a king … nothing Avanti could begin against that king.